To be honest, out of all the concept case figures this Shipwreck repaint was one that I couldn’t quite get my head around. I really loved the two variations of the discount store Shipwreck, and while the “Navy” shirted version was interesting, it didn’t bring a whole lot new to the table compared to some of the other concept case figures. Considering the figure is pretty much a 30th Anniversary/Renegades Law from the neck down with the Shock Trooper vest and Rise of Cobra Shipwreck head, I had trouble figuring out the appeal. Don’t get me wrong, there certainly seemed to be a strong segment of the fandom who were clamoring for it, I just wasn’t one of them. Give me that awesome looking Pursuit of Cobra Clutch or HISS Driver any day.

Regardless, getting this figure in hand, he’s not bad. Not bad at all. I’m a fan of the version of Law that was the template for this figure, he’s greatly detailed and extremely well articulated, so it’s tough to go wrong there. The Navy on his chest is a neat touch, though with the vest on, you can’t see it much. A white t-shirt and khaki pants is a good combination, even if it feels a bit segregated from Shipwreck’s classic look. Perhaps my favorite thing about this version is that it seems to walk a good line for Shipwreck. Previous versions were either a straight-up sailor, a wet-suited Navy SEAL, or a commando soldier hardcore military guy. Shipwreck has always been a casual lay about who also happened to be a highly trained special ops soldier. This combination of parts strays more towards the “lay about” side with his t-shirt and pants, but it’s fairly easy to slap the vest on him and put him more in a military commando role.

If I have any complaints about the deco work it’s that the differences in the green shades throughout his legs are pretty evident, as well as the white on the torso and white on the sleeves. Not sure if that’s a plastic type/quality issue or more of a paint vs. production color issue. It’s a little bit distracting, though, I have to admit.

It’s a figure that didn’t especially appeal to me in the concept case, and doesn’t use any new parts, but the final execution ends up being a bit more fun than I anticipated.

Accessories

The G.I. Joe sailor is equipped with pretty basic accessories. A machine gun and submachine gun, as well as the tactical vest, two knives, pistol, and silencer. Of course he also has his trusty parrot Polly. None of the accessories are exceptionally different, but they compliment the figure nicely, which is all I can really ask for. He can hold the weapons really nicely with those great Law arms, and is just a fun figure to sit and mess with. The Shock Trooper vest has that handle on the back that can double as a mount for Polly as well, which is a neat touch. I don’t know if that was planned (he fits, though the rubbery material of the vest doesn’t keep him there very sturdily).

I should also say that I assume both knives are his. There isn’t an especially clear indication, but that seems to be the case, at least in my mind.

This is one of those few Concept Case figures that I just looked past and was never really captured by. I didn’t see much of a reason to push him through to retail release, but getting him in hand, the figure has a lot of promise, and walks that great line between Shipwreck’s familiar slacker personality and more military edge. I like it more than I thought I would.

Well, we now know where the Cobra La hint fits into the grand scheme of things with G.I. Joe: Battleground! DeNA revealed information today about a new PVP Event launching today, featuring Cobra La and a new Epic Shipwreck card! Check out the full details below:

Description of Shipwreck’d PvP Event

After the Joes successfully decrypted the Cobra data obtained by Snake Eyes, they learned a frightening truth. Cobra-La is still alive, active, and seething with anger and hatred for G.I. JOE. In response to this grave threat, Joe teams from around the world have scrambled to launch various assaults against known Cobra intel centers to obtain information on the whereabouts of Cobra-La. One such perilous mission involves Shipwreck and a team of commandos finding their way onto a Cobra submarine. A close quarter firefight breaks out on the sub that threatens to blow up the nuclear powered titan with all combatants still on board.

Take up a side as Joe or Cobra and fight against other Squad Leaders. Will you side with Cobra to protect Cobra-La’s nefarious plans, or will you go with the Joes to unravel and put an end Cobra-La’s comeback?

I got so excited about Cesspool yesterday that I totally missed two other reveals that took place as well! Over on GIJoeClub.com they have posted more card art (as well as a “Did You Know” entry) for both Tiger Force Shipwreck and Wide Scope.

The more I see of Wide Scope the more I dig him… I’m psyched they’re giving this obscure SWAT Trooper some FSS love! Check out the images at the links above, or mirrored below.

They told us more previews would be coming, and here they are! The G.I. Joe Collectors Club just launched previews for two more of their upcoming Figure Subscription Service 2.0 figures, Tollbooth and Tiger Force Shipwreck.

Tollbooth has a brand new head sculpt, and a ton of great accessories as well as the 25th Anniversary Dusty torso, Flint arms, and a mixture of Shipwreck legs (and Dusty lower legs, maybe?). Rounding off the look is Night Fox webgear, to give us a great addition to our 1985 G.I. Joe roster.

Tiger Force Shipwreck looks like pretty much all 5-pack Shipwreck, with Pursuit of Cobra Cobra Trooper arms. Check out these previews on the GIJoeClub website and also mirrored below.

The Road to Retaliation continues with my daily reviews, and we start off this Monday morning with the “Running Change” version of Shipwreck! The Navy soldier dons green and brings the fight on land! Check out the latest review on my 30th Anniversary Review page, or just by hitting the link below.

You know things are picking up when I’m posting multiple “new sightings” posts in one evening! Along with the Wave 2 3-Packs, the variant running change discount store exclusives are also starting to appear…but not at Dollar Generals. At Marshalls!

Thanks to Rodimus88 of HissTank.com for reporting the first sighting, and more are incoming.

I started these reviews with the bad guys yesterday, and today I finish off my reviews of the already infamous Dollar Store Joes with a look at the G.I. Joe side of the house. Like the Cobra figures, these guys use a ton of existing parts, not a huge array of paint apps, but a whole ton of creativity.

Well how is that for timing? Fresh off an interview with What’s on Joe Mind, it has just been announced that the voice of Sunbow Shipwreck Neil Ross will be at the 2012 G.I. Joe Convention in New Orleans!

While I unfortunately missed the last recording, I listened to the interview and it was hilarious, I can imagine he’s going to be a terrific guest at the Convention as well. Keep up to date with all of the latest and greatest G.I. Joe convention news and events at GIJoeCon.com!

And the flood begins! My comments, emails and text messages have been flying this evening as more folks are reporting sightings of the new discount G.I. Joe figures at Dollar Generals across the country.

UPDATE – Some questions about price… reports are retail of $6.00 per figure.

Everywhere from Tennessee to Oklahoma and St. Louis, but the one common denominator is they’re being found in Dollar General stores specifically. Big thanks to both Mike from Whats on Joe Mind and GeneralsJoes visitor Dustin for forwarding some images along as proof. Mike even included his trademark bananas. Check out the images below, and just as a reminder of what you can expect, make sure you read up on the Dollar Store figures with my exclusive reveal right here.